Media Release

September 17 2009

UniSA Professor gives Adelaide some food for thought

There's more behind the food on you plate than you might think. According to a UniSA Professor, there’s more behind the food on your plate than you might think.

Author and former columnist for The Australian, Professor Elspeth Probyn, will look deeper into the economics of taste, place and connection at a free public lecture at UniSA’s City West campus this coming Thursday (September 24th).

Prof Probyn says that the food we eat and where it comes from has become a hot topic.

“As we move towards a more globalised economic system, there’s been an increased understanding that the production and consumption of food are interconnected,” she says.

“The economics of taste involve more organic connections, such as how communities can grow from an agricultural epicentre, which brands the region and increases pride in the community.”

Prof Probyn says that increasing globalisation has resulted in a disconnection between where food is produced and where it is consumed.

“The availability of all foods, anywhere at any time weakens the connection between taste and place,” she says.

“There’s a lack of understanding about the conditions under which food can be naturally produced.”

Prof Probyn will talk about the resuscitation of the Coffin Bay oyster industry and the resulting benefits to the local community, but warns that this is not a simple case of ‘what is local is good.’

“There’s been a demonisation of foreign farmers,” she says.

“This attitude means that regions that ‘specialise’ in the production of certain foods don’t get to benefit from an association with that produce.

“It’s important to consider this in a global context.”

The lecture is the ninth in the UniSA Gift of Knowledge lecture series, part of UniSA’s drive to give the community access to key local and global issues.

Event information:
In the interests of taste and place
Thursday, 24th of September, 5pm start
Allan Scott Auditorium, Hawke Building, UniSA City West Campus.
Register online

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